Tally's Good Food Café (South) — Restaurant in Tulsa

Came here on the reference of a friend who lives around the corner. The 50s diner decor is apparent immediately and with warm welcome. If you're into kitschy 50s drive in theming, this place has it to heart and does it well. We went on a quiet Saturday afternoon just before close, and a very nice gentleman brought us to our booth, and immediately changed a menu when he noticed it wasn't cleaned. I didn't quite hear what he had said and thought he meant he was going to clean the booth, which did have food strewn a bit on the floor, but he didn't reference it at all. We knew it was near closing time (we arrived at 2:25 and they close at 3) so we tried to eat and be on our way quickly. I ordered their "famous chicken fried steak sandwich" which was $10.95 at time of posting with a side salad, and the kid ordered the 3 mini pancake meal with bacon and a root beer float, and the boyfriend got the Mediterranean burger with fries and a lemonade. A few things to note: service was prompt and friendly; if they were trying to rush us out the door, I couldn't tell. The portions are far larger than my Californian appetite was anticipating (the kids pancakes were enormous, she ended up only eating one and packing the rest), as we all balked when our plates arrived (my salad arrived first, which was a little weird to me as I thought it was a side instead of an appetizer, but ate it when my burger arrived nonetheless), but for the price, it's a great deal. My sandwich was alright, but the chicken fried steak almost immediately fell apart. I cut my sandwich in half so I could start at the heart of it, which was juicy, slightly challenging to bite away, balanced in flavor, but a bit single dimensioned in flavor despite the white gravy (which mainly tasted like a creamy pepper sauce. Good, but the burger needed some acidity to cut through the fried meat could have benefited from either BBQ sauce or even something as simple as A1 or ketchup, IMHO), and I felt like the best part of it was the butter grilled buns. Boyfriend's Mediterranean burger was good, ladened with olives, and cooked well, but he admitted he's had better burgers, but loved the olive flavor enveloping it all. The kids pancakes were fluffy, well prepped and hot, and perfect for her to rip apart and dip in a nice warm syrup along with two strips of crunchy, perfectly cooked bacon. We also ordered fried mushrooms to go as we knew we wanted them but didn't think we would be able to finish the (we were very right) and the order is at least a pound of white mushrooms halved or quartered, chicken fried and served with ranch. Delicious, but very filling and hefty. The root beer float was acceptable by the young one, but I noticed the vanilla ice cream in the drink was quite icy. I'm not sure if that's a bug or a feature (perhaps it's beneficial in their floats?), but I prefer smooth and creamy ice cream in my floats. Our check including the $10 tip came out to $55, which, for the amount of food, we agreed was a deal, but likely average for the area. The parking is spacious and plentiful, the service and decor welcoming and polite, and the food was palatable. It was worth coming by once since I'm not from here, but I'm not in a rush to return. I'm not sure how to suggest this place beyond ambiance, since I felt like the food was just decent, but I think it's worth coming here to try the food for yourself. The price, service and food portions are what earned this place this place 3 stars, but I would only recommend trying this place if a friend suggested it and you trusted their taste, as it's all American greasy spoon diner food, which can be a hit or miss...

Tally’s Café: A Nostalgic Gem with Room for Improvement

An unexpected turn of events led us to Tally’s instead of our originally planned restaurant. All it took was me mentioning how much I love breakfast food on a cold day—no matter the time—and the search was on. We wanted something local and classic, beyond the usual chain options, and Google Maps pointed us to Tally’s.

Now, I was already aware of this place and had tried to visit once before, only to find it closed for a holiday. After that, it faded from my radar, but I was glad to see it open this time—and nearly empty, promising quick service.

From the moment I walked in, I fell in love with the decor. It’s nostalgic yet stylish, not your typical dimly lit, outdated diner. The beautiful floors, well-thought-out wall art, and a splendid bar gave the place a polished charm. But would the food and service match the ambiance?

Our young waitress carried herself with experience, promptly bringing our drinks. Then, a lovely older lady took over, showcasing her hospitality skills like a pro. She made us feel genuinely welcome.

The menu featured all the diner classics, available any time of day—exactly what I was hoping for. My choice was easy: the 3X3X3. While waiting, I checked out the bathrooms, which—like the rest of the place—were impeccably designed, clean, and pleasantly scented.

Back at the table, our food arrived. The portions were just right—not overwhelming but satisfying. My pancakes were slightly undercooked, though not enough to ruin the meal. The rest of the family enjoyed their dishes, and we all agreed we’d return—this time without the kids—to explore the bar.

I can easily see this place offering two hours of live music on Friday and Saturday nights, which would add an even livelier touch to an already great atmosphere.

A Small but Painful Oversight

One issue, however, needs attention. There was ice on the ground, and while I eventually found the main entrance, it wasn’t obvious at first. We ended up walking around to another set of stairs—unfortunately, uncleared of ice. I slipped and landed hard on my backside. It hurt like crazy.

Now, I take full responsibility for my fall, but a little extra salt on all possible walkways—or at least blocking unsafe areas—could prevent someone from getting seriously injured. Some people would see this as a lawsuit opportunity.

Final Thoughts

Aside from my icy misadventure, Tally’s delivered a nostalgic yet joyful experience. The atmosphere, service, and overall vibe made it a place worth revisiting. Next time, I’ll just watch my step.

Thank you,...

I went to Tally's with my wife and two teens for a taste from the 50s and left with the feeling that I won't come back. What an unpleasant visit. In numbers: 1 - We were asked if we could be seated at a half booth, half table at the corner and we said that it was not a problem. It was not, truly!!! It took us two minutes, however, to realize that we were not at the corner but blocking the Emergency Only Exit by a "nicely" disorganized metal cabinet with plastic lids, cups and plastic silverware on its top. Neither the desired, nor the expected view for our Sunday meal. 2 - I asked for a rare Top Sirloin and I got a medium one. I mentioned it to the lady serving us and she promptly took it back. Three minutes later she was back with a "raw" gray one. Truly gray one, not red one. The unpleasant feeling took over at this time. Tally's does not know how to prepare a rare, has not trained its cook, does not have a professional stove or is preparing frozen beef as if it were fresh. One of these four options. It was not edible!!! 3 - I don't have a problem with people young or older working with shorts, we see them every where. Crocs, however, are a DO NOT USE PLEASE when working in a restaurant. Shoes that are not properly clean are one thing, but feet not properly clean and nails half painted are another totally different and disgusting thing. If we were at the beach I would understand, but in a closed restaurant with A/C on?? Please, just don't! Use your sneakers or any other closed toes shoes. 4 - The lady who was serving us was professional and she was not the one using crocs but the service took about 45 minutes. That just does not work. Does not work for us waiting that long, does not work for Tally's having a table that could be making more money with a faster service. 5 - That was the first and surely...